PAVO Funding News

People Fund - fundraising with a difference

2012-02-09T07:30:00.000-08:00

Are you looking for a new way to raise funds for a new project? Do you use social media to engage your supporters? Well check out People Fund. This is a new crowd sourcing website, which brings together community projects and supporters, to help them find the finance, skills and volunteers to get projects off the ground.

It is a really interesting concept.

Go to: http://www.peoplefund.it/

Food Festival Grant Funding Programme - Notice of Imminent Deadline

2012-02-06T03:34:00.001-08:00

Food festivals contribute millions of pounds annually to the Welsh economy by attracting visitors from across Wales and beyond, providing a platform for producers looking to increase sales in an ever more competitive marketplace.

Building a positive external reputation and brand image for Wales is an important challenge recognised by the Welsh Government. This scheme will support food producers wishing to take part in food festivals throughout Wales in 2012.

Costs associated with attending food festivals may be covered. These activities provide capacity building opportunities for food and drink producers from Wales as well as contributing to a broadened and strengthened rural economy.

There are no minimum or maximum levels of funding stipulated. Applications will be judged on their individual merits.

Food producers in Wales may apply for support through this scheme. All events supported must have food activity as their core.

The deadline for receipt of applications is 17 February 2012.

Go to: http://wales.gov.uk/

(Source: Grantfinder)

Creme of nature Community Action awards 2012 - NOW OPEN

2012-02-02T06:11:00.001-08:00

A cash prize of £10,000 is on offer to voluntary, community or faith-based groups in the UK that work with women and need the money to make a positive impact in their local community.

Now in its fifth year, the Creme of Nature Community Action Award is about giving something back to the communities across the UK that have helped make Creme of Nature one of the most well known brands in the hair and beauty market for the past 30 years.

The award is about making a real difference, and it is dedicated to community cohesion and social inclusion.

Small groups that have a dream of making a difference to their community but lack funding are encouraged to apply for this award. The prize is £10,000. The first runner up will receive a cash award of £5,000. The second, third and fourth runner ups will receive £500 worth of Creme of Nature products.

Applications can be submitted online via the Creme of Nature website or by downloading an application form and posting it to Creme of Nature.

The closing date is 31 March 2012.

Each finalist must promote their cause and the one that gets the most online votes from 1 May to the 18 May 2012 wins. Votes can come from anywhere in the UK

The presentation will take place in Manchester at Victory Outreach in late May or early June 2012 as the previous year’s winner hosts the presentation event.

Visit the Crème of Nature website for further information, an application form and to read about the previous winners.

(SOURCE: j4bcommunity.co.uk)

ENVIRONMENT WALES GRANT FUNDING INFORMATION

2012-02-02T06:06:00.000-08:00

Environment Wales can support voluntary or community groups, charities, co-operatives, and other bodies with a not-for-profit status. They offer support to projects rather than groups, which must be specific activities rather than general core work.

In order to be eligible for Environment Wales support, projects must meet one or more of the following
objectives:

• Environmental Improvement: Achieving sustainable improvements to the Welsh environment through
practical projects;
• Education and Awareness: Increasing understanding of sustainable development and the environment
through information, education and advisory services;
• Environmental Enterprise: Helping create new environmental initiatives which also allow communities
and voluntary organisations to contribute to their social and economic needs;
• Training and Volunteers: Supporting and training staff and volunteers engaged in the above activities.

Projects must also complete the Environment Wales REGISTRATION process.

What is registration?
Registration is an opportunity for Development Officers to assess a project’s sustainability and address any issues
that might be a potential barrier to Environment Wales funding. The process can also help groups to think
through their projects and fine-tune their objectives.

Environment Wales offer 5 grant schemes:

Start-up Grants: These help to cover the costs involved with establishing new voluntary or community groups such as hiring venues, publicity or printing, training, insurance, affiliation etc. The maximum grant is £1,000.

Pre-Project Grants: These help cover the costs of any studies or surveys that need to be undertaken before aproject can begin; for example feasibility studies, business plans, ecological surveys or community appraisals.
The studies must be undertaken by a third party. The maximum grant is £4,000.

In both these instances, grants will only be awarded if the proposed project activities meet with Environment
Wales’ objectives and it is hoped that any projects benefiting from these grants will later come forward for
Environment Wales registration.

There are 3 other Environment Wales grant streams, open to registered projects only.

Training Support Grants: These grants are available to help cover the costs of training courses and
conferences. Eligible costs include travel expenses, subsistence and course fees. The maximum grant available
is £400. Applications may be submitted at any time.

Project Grants: These grants help cover project materials and equipment. The maximum grant available is
£10,000. Applications may be submitted at any time.

Management Grant: These grants help fund new posts within registered projects. The posts must be project specific and not part of an organisation’s core activities. Grants range from £1,000 to £12,000. Applications need to be received by the 15 October for awards starting on 1 April, the following year. Funding can be provided for up to a maximum of six years.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

Environment Wales, Baltic House, Mount Stuart Square, Cardiff Bay, Cardiff, CF10 5FH

Tel: 029 2043 1727

http://www.environment-wales.org/

(Source: Environment Wales Information Pack)

Heritage Lottery Fund: changes to small grants programmes

2012-01-31T07:16:00.000-08:00

From April 2012, the maximum grant limit for Your Heritage applications is increasing form £50,000 to £100,000.

The maximum grant limit for Young Roots applications is also increasing from £25,000 to £50,000. Young Roots projects can last up to two years (up from 18 months) and the age range widened to include young people from 11 - 25 years old (previously started at 13 years old).

Also from April 2012, HLF will make decisions on Your Heritage and Young Roots applications at bi-monthly meetings. A full list on submission deadlines and decision meetings can be found on the following web page: http://www.hlf.org.uk/inyourarea/Wales/Pages/SmallGrantsSubmissiondeadlinesanddecisiondates.aspx

As always, if you have an idea for a heritage project HLF encourages seeking pre-application advice using the on-line portal.

VILLAGE SOS NATIONAL CONFERENCE - BOOK NOW!

2012-01-31T02:48:00.000-08:00

Monday 27th February
Burlington House Hotel, Birmingham
9.30am - 17.30pm

This looks to be a really interesting conference, with a packed agenda. The conference is essential for anyone with an interest in rural communities and community enterprise.

For more details, and to book a free place go to: www.villagesos.org.uk

Arts And Business Cymru Awards 2012

2012-01-31T02:36:00.000-08:00

The best creative partnerships in Wales will be recognised in the 19th annual Arts & Business Cymru Awards, which opened to nominations today.

The Awards, which encourage, acknowledge and celebrate exemplary partnerships between the private sector and the arts, reflect the broad range of work undertaken by Arts & Business Cymru across the country.

In addition to 10 established categories, this year the organiser is recognising the role that individuals play in supporting the arts with a Philanthropy Award. The remaining categories are each sponsored by a key Welsh organisation. They are as follows:

Arts, Business & Brand Identity.
Arts, Business & the Community.
Arts, Business & Young People.
Arts & Small Business.
Arts, Business & the Environment.
Arts, Business & Employees.
Arts, Business & Long Term Support.
Business Adviser of the Year.
The Admiral Business of the Year Award.
The Legal & General Arts Award.

The awards for business participants are non-financial. The Legal & General Arts Award for is a cash prize of £2,500 for the arts organisation that has worked most creatively in a business partnership.

The Arts & Business Cymru Awards Ceremony will take place at Wales Millennium Centre on Thursday 14 June 2012.

The deadline for receipt of nominations is 1 March 2012.

http://artsandbusiness.org.uk/

(Source: Grantfinder)

CONGRATULATIONS TO CWM TRANNON

2012-01-26T06:50:00.000-08:00

Cwm Trannon (Trefeglwys Community Shop), has won the Countryside Alliance Awards for the best shop and village Post Office in the whole of Wales recently.

They will now be representing Wales in the final for the whole of the UK which will take place at the Houses of Parliament later this year.

Congratulations to all at Cwm Trannon on your well deserved award, and good luck for the national finals!

Have you got some good news you'd like to share, get in touch, and we'll post it on the blog.

MONTGOMERY DISTRICT TRUST FUND - NOW OPEN

2012-01-26T06:46:00.001-08:00

Supports recreation and leisure projects for groups in Montgomeryshire

The Fund makes contributions to projects of up to 50% of costs and grants of up to £1500 are available. Please refer to the criteria for specific details.

Guidelines and application forms can be obtained by emailing tom@cfiw.org.uk or phoning the office on 02920 536590.

Charities should be pro-active about fundraising all year long

2012-01-23T05:20:00.000-08:00

Interesting article about year round fundraising:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/voluntary-sector-network/2012/jan/20/fundraising-charities-christmas-donations

(Source: Guardian Voluntary Sector Network)

Volunteering funding boost for Wales

2012-01-17T07:15:00.000-08:00

Two WCVA Schemes have been awarded funding to take them in to 2013. The Volunteering in Wales fund and the GwirVol grant scheme will benefit:

http://www.wcva.org.uk/news/dsp_news.cfm?newsid=1783

(Source: WCVA)

Charity Commission publishes new risk framework

2012-01-17T07:06:00.000-08:00

The Charity Commission, the regulator for charities in England and Wales, has today published its new Risk Framework together with information on how the framework will be applied.

The Framework explains to trustees, charity advisors and the wider public the Commission’s approach to regulation and how it assesses risks affecting charities, the wider charity sector, and public confidence.

http://www.charitycommission.gov.uk/Library/risk_framework.pdf

(Source: Charity Commission)

New Credit Union Laws to benefit charities

2012-01-11T08:12:00.001-08:00

Credit Unions can now change their rules in order to develop and provide services:

http://abcul.coop/media-and-research/news/view/208

(Source: Association of British Credit Unions limited)

BIG LOTTERY INNOVATION FUNDING OPENS NEW ROUND

2012-01-11T02:11:00.000-08:00

A project to provide advice and support for student sex workers and a project to address racism and far-right extremism in young people are among the range of groups throughout Wales to share in more than £1 million awarded by the Big Lottery Fund today.

Five projects across Wales share in the £1,376,049 awarded under the first round of the BIG Innovation programme, which aims to specifically support projects that test new ways of tackling emerging and existing social problems.

The news comes as the programme opens for the second round of applications, with potential applicants having until Thursday, February 23, 2012 to apply for grants of between £20,000 and £1 million for innovative new projects.

For more information go to:

http://www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/prog_big_innovation?regioncode=-wal

New Year Newspapers bring some good news

2012-01-10T03:10:00.000-08:00

Whilst looking through the local newspapers, I was delighted to read about how some Powys groups have been successful with funding applications.

The County Times (30-12-2011, 6-1-2012) details the following groups:

Castle Caerinion Community Hall, who have secured funding from Can Do and Awards for All for the acoustics to be improved. This will enable the Hall to hold musical events, opening up the opportunities for the local community.

Cylch Meithrin in Llanfyllin has been successful in securing a grant from the Co-operative for new play equipment.

Llanfechain Memorial Hall has secured a grant from the Welsh Government Rural Retail Programme to provide permanent retail provision at the Hall.

So, congratulations to those groups. It's great to hear some good news. If you have any news you want to share, please get in touch.

If you need any support around funding then get in touch with PAVO, we are here to help.

CAN DO - GET IT WHILE YOU CAN!

2012-01-09T04:26:00.001-08:00

! IT’S FIRST COME FIRST SERVED WITH THIS SCHEME – DON’T MISS OUT – CALL TODAY !

Groups wishing to apply will go through a funding health check to reduce the paperwork previously associated with the scheme. Nearly 50 have been undertaken to date!

Up to £2000 will be available for groups supporting identified local need and activity, for small scale capital projects, that will make a big impact. For example, a grant could be used for sports equipment to encourage healthy lifestyles, or display boards for a community building. Groups will also be expected to find match funding of 33%. Funding must be spent by 1^st March 2012.

For more information:

Go to: www.pavo.org.uk

Call the: PAVO Helpdesk on 0845 009 3288

E-mail: info@pavo.org.uk

Under the Radar - article of interest

2012-01-09T04:25:00.000-08:00

An interesting article looking at the 'Big Society' in England, about grass roots groups, who operate 'under the radar':
http://www.guardian.co.uk/voluntary-sector-network/community-action-blog/2011/dec/16/tsrc-micro-mapping-big-society

What's the situation where you are? Let us know

How can social media help you?

2012-01-09T04:11:00.000-08:00

Looking to get evidence of need for funding applications, or just find out what others in your area think? How about using social media to find out more.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/voluntary-sector-network/community-action-blog/2011/dec/15/social-media-neighbourhood-cooperation

(Source: Guardian Voluntary Sector Network)

Happy New Year!

2012-01-09T04:00:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year to you all.
What are your funding resolutions for this year?
How was 2011 for you funding wise?
Drop us a line to let us know what's going on with your group or area. We'd love to hear from you.

Can Do - get it while you can!!!

2011-12-13T05:40:00.000-08:00

Interest in this scheme is high - once the money is gone, it's gone, so take advantage of it as soon as possible.
Groups undergoing the funding health check have found it to be a useful process, and not at all daunting. It can also be done over the phone.
So here is the information you need to know:

Up to £2000 will be available for groups supporting identified local need and activity, for small scale capital projects, that will make a big impact.

Groups wishing to apply will go through a funding health check with a PAVO Development Officer. This useful tool, enables us to ensure your group is eligible, reducing the volume of paperwork that usually accompanies an application.

Groups will be expected to find match funding of 33%, e.g:

Application to fund for £2000

Match from group £660

Total Project Costs £2660

Projects should fit one of the following criteria:

Creating or refurbishing facilities available to the community as a whole or adapting them to ensure equal access to disabled people as required under the Equality Act 2010.
Acting to improve the built or natural environment for local people
Improving the well-being of the community by encouraging activities and healthy life styles
Providing facilities or activities which reduce poverty, inequality, discrimination and social disadvantage
Encouraging training that targets vulnerable or excluded people
Stimulating community businesses and social enterprise
Assisting the promotion of job opportunities and increased incomes
Involving people of all ages and abilities in the community and addressing the needs of socially excluded groups
Strengthening the cultural and linguistic identity of the community

For more information:

Go to: www.pavo.org.uk

PAVO Help desk: 0845 009 3288

e-mail: info@pavo.org.uk

New Energy Efficiency Funding Announced (England and Wales)

2011-12-08T05:29:00.000-08:00

The Department of Energy and Climate Change has launched a £30 million investment in community green schemes and public sector energy efficiency.

The funding takes the form of a new £10 million Local Energy Assessment Fund (LEAF) launched to help local communities develop energy projects with an additional £20 million in loans for energy efficiency in schools, universities, hospitals, local authorities and other public sector buildings.

The LEAF, managed by a number of community networks and administered by the Energy Saving Trust, will be run as a competition, with the chance for around 200 community organisations to get to grips with energy efficiency and renewable energy generation. Organisations including parish councils, voluntary associations, development trusts and faith groups are all eligible to apply.

Up to £50,000 is available for each successful community to be used to help assess the potential for energy efficiency and local renewable energy generation in their locality.

Funding is allocated in two rounds.

http://www.greencommunitiescc.org.uk/DECCAbout.aspx

(Source: Grantfinder)

The first round closes at noon on 22 December 2011 with successful applicants notified in the week beginning 9 January 2012. The second round will close to applications at noon on 20 January 2012 with successful communities notified at the end January.

MILLENNIUM STADIUM LOCAL ROUND - APPLICATIONS ENCOURAGED

2011-12-07T02:10:00.000-08:00

We have been asked to promote the scheme, as it is currently open to local groups. the following message has come from the Millennium Stadium Trust:

We are open to receive applications for local projects from charities or not for profit groups. The maximum grant for local applicants is £2,500, the closing date is 19^thDecember and decisions will be made early March 2012 and groups will be written to in March. Projects need to start from after March 2012 and they have a year to spend the funding.

Examples include:

Faith gardens in schools, local sports clubs needing funds for equipment or coaching qualifications, trips for elderly and isolated people, community recycling projects, theatre trips for ill children, specially adjusted cinema viewings for disabled children, nets for cricket club and other rurally isolated clubs.

Please note if you have been awarded a grant then you cannot re apply until 3 years after the date of your offer letter.

Please follow the link below for the updated application form and guidelines.

http://www.millenniumstadiumtrust.co.uk

Home Fire Safety Checks - Opportunity for Community Groups

2011-12-05T05:50:00.000-08:00

One of the main objective’s of Mid & West Wales Fire and Rescue Service is reducing domestic fires through carrying out free Home Fire Safety Checks (HFSC) in people’s homes.

A HFSC takes around 30 minutes to carry out and involves an assessment to identify and provide solutions to fire risks in a person’s home. Depending on the outcome, a range of free fire safety equipment maybe provided in conjunction with fitting smoke detectors. We are looking to target individuals who we deem vulnerable for example older people (60+), single adults and single parents, individuals living in deprivation, individuals living with a mental and / or physical impairment, smokers, and individuals who have issues with alcohol / drugs, as they have been identified of being at high risk of being injured or killed as a result of a fire.

For us, the key is working in partnership with organisations such as yourselves in carrying out these safety checks. Your contribution could really make a difference to the safety of the people you work with. If you are a voluntary sector organisation that is working closely with the people we deem vulnerable from having house fires please get in touch with me to look at ways of working together for the safety and well being of your clients.

Funding has been made available for voluntary sector organisations where we can currently make a payment of £10 per HFSC carried out. Full training & support would be provided to enable members to undertake such checks. If you are interested in further information then please contact me.

Many thanks,

Neil Evans
Rheolwr Gorsaf – rheolwr diogelwch yn y gymuned de Powys
Station Manager – community safety manager south Powys.
Mewnol / Internal: Ext. 1128
 Allanol / External: 01792705028
 Symudol / Mobile: 07882634605 Post / Mail n.evans@mawwfire.gov.uk
Wefan / Website: www.mawwfire.gov.uk

Christmas is coming......

2011-11-29T07:10:00.000-08:00

The festive season is creeping up on us all too quickly! What's your best festive fundraiser been? Are you doing anything this year? Do you find Christmas is a time when people are generous with their donations? Let us know and spread some festive cheer!

Can Do Ideas into Reality

2011-11-29T07:08:00.000-08:00

Interest in this scheme is really beginning to hot up - once the money is gone, it's gone, so take advantage of it as soon as possible.
Groups undergoing the funding health check have found it to be a useful process, and not at all daunting. It can also be done over the phone.
So here is the information you need to know:

Up to £2000 will be available for groups supporting identified local need and activity, for small scale capital projects, that will make a big impact.

Groups will be expected to find match funding of 33%, e.g:

Application to fund for £2000

Match from group £660

Total Project Costs £2660

Projects should fit one of the following criteria:

Creating or refurbishing facilities available to the community as a whole or adapting them to ensure equal access to disabled people as required under the Equality Act 2010.
Acting to improve the built or natural environment for local people
Improving the well-being of the community by encouraging activities and healthy life styles
Providing facilities or activities which reduce poverty, inequality, discrimination and social disadvantage
Encouraging training that targets vulnerable or excluded people
Stimulating community businesses and social enterprise
Assisting the promotion of job opportunities and increased incomes
Involving people of all ages and abilities in the community and addressing the needs of socially excluded groups
Strengthening the cultural and linguistic identity of the community

For more information:

Go to: www.pavo.org.uk

PAVO Help desk: 0845 009 3288

e-mail: info@pavo.org.uk

Eco Driving Course

2011-11-24T06:58:00.000-08:00

Eco-Driving Course – only £7.50!
Powys Transport Training Agency have been successful in getting a grant from the Powys Environmental Partnership, which will enable groups across Powys to access the eco-driver training for only £7.50 per person and the goal is for drivers to save up to £300 per year!
This course can help address the problem of higher fuel prices within rural areas like Powys. It includes some pre and post course monitoring of fuel usage and feedback from attendees. Individuals, community groups, SME's and statutory & social enterprises can all attend.

For more information contact Mike Entwisle on:

Tel/Ffon 01597 829235
Mobile 07584 490191
email/ebost michael.entwisle@pavo.org.uk

Digital donations

2011-11-21T01:02:00.000-08:00

Interesting article about how small charities can capitalize on digital donations.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/voluntary-sector-network/2011/nov/21/small-charities-new-technology

Social Currency Website launched

2011-11-18T06:03:00.000-08:00

Interesting article about a website that has been launched that rewards users with a ‘social currency’ for sharing:

http://www.civilsociety.co.uk/fundraising/news/content/10985/social_currency_website_launched

YOUTH LED GRANTS

2011-11-15T02:00:00.000-08:00

Grants of up to £1,000 are still available for youth-led projects.
The money is available for voluntary and community groups to buy equipment, run events, go on training and any other ideas.
The money would need to be spent by March 2011. For an application form contact PAVO on 0845 0093288 or download from the PAVO website www.pavo.org.uk

Community Chest Funding

2011-11-10T05:18:00.000-08:00

There is up to £1500 available for Community Sport and Physical Recreation in any 12 month period for activities that:

Encourage more people to become more active, more often
Raises the standards of existing activities

The scheme is open to any group as long as they hold a bank account in the organsation's name.

Download an application from www.sportwales and submit to your Local Authority -angela.williams@powys.gov.uk

There are 5 panel meetings per financial year.Closing dates for application is 2 weeks prior.

Dates will be set in January 2012 for the following year.

VILLAGE SOS ROADSHOW COMES TO TALGARTH MILL

2011-11-08T02:21:00.000-08:00

Rural communities across South Wales are being urged to attend a free event in Talgarth that will see business experts and rural specialists descend on the town to help struggling communities revive their villages.

Talgarth has been announced in the UK-wide events series as part of the Big Lottery Fund’s Village SOS campaign, which is supporting communities across the UK to start up new enterprises - from shops and food projects to broadband schemes - that will help to rejuvenate their areas and meet the needs of local people.

The event, organised by rural communities charity Plunkett Foundation with DTA Wales, takes place on Monday 28^th November at Talgarth Mill

For more information about the events series or the advice line, contact the Advice Team on 0845 434 9123 or visit www.villagesos.org.uk.

(Source: Big Lottery)

GwirVol Open for Applications

2011-11-07T05:25:00.000-08:00

GwirVol is a uniquely Welsh, diverse partnership between the private, public and voluntary sectors, designed to promote, support and drive forward youth volunteering initiatives.

As well as providing advisory assistance and signposting services, the partnership will deliver grants, through local grant panels of young people, to encourage youth volunteering projects in their local area.

The scheme currently provides the following grant strands:

Creating Opportunities - project funding of up to £10,000 for activities that will deliver a wide range of new and innovative volunteering experiences for young people aged 16-25.
Promotion - project funding of up to £3,000 to promote volunteering to, and for, young people aged 16-25, eg through promotional events, websites, exhibitions, or visits.
Millennium Volunteers: For organisations looking to recognise the commitment young people give to volunteering through offering the 200 hour award of excellence. Millennium Volunteers grant applications can be for up to a maximum amount of £10,000.

Organisations from the voluntary, public and private sectors located in Wales may apply for advisory and financial support through the scheme.

The second bidding round for 2011 is open to applications with a deadline of 23 November 2011.

Go to: www.gwirvol.org for more information

How councils can help charities manage the impact of spending cuts

2011-11-04T08:01:00.001-07:00

Interesting article - what have your experiences been, what do you think?:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/local-government-network/2011/nov/02/charities-managing-funding-cuts

Keep Wales Tidy Community Group Grants

2011-11-04T07:21:00.000-07:00

Community groups working to improve the environment can apply for free group public liability insurance and grants of up to £300 from Keep Wales Tidy.

The charity, which has an officer in each Welsh county, works to encourage local action to protect and enhance the environment of Wales.

For more information, groups in Powys should contact Sue Newham, Tidy Towns officer for North Powys on 07766 757145 or sue.newham@keepwalestidy.org Rachel Palmer, officer for South Powys, is unavailable until the end of the year, but will be pleased to help you after that.

NEW! PAVO Social Enterprise and Trading Blog

2011-11-03T04:23:00.000-07:00

Have you seen PAVO's new Social Enterprise and Trading blog?

Following on from the success of the PAVO Funding Blog, we are introducing this blog for regular updates, information and news on social enterprise and trading. We also want it to be a mechanism for discussion, and sharing of experiences, so we hope that you will contribute.

Go to: http://ptssocialenterpriseandtrading.blogspot.com/

Article: How small charities can buck the downward trend

2011-11-03T04:19:00.000-07:00

Follow the link for an interesting article on diversifying income streams:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/voluntary-sector-network/community-action-blog/2011/nov/02/charities-buck-downward-trend-competitive

Lottery launches Millennium Now fund

2011-11-03T04:16:00.000-07:00

Millennium Now is unlike anything we have delivered before. Developed together with Channel 4, public involvement is at the forefront of this new programme.

Through the Big Decision, the public told us where they felt £10 million of Lottery funding should go. We took this feedback and combined it with the results of an Ipsos MORI poll, conducted with 2000 people from across the nation, to help decide the five distinct project types that Millennium Now will fund.

Applications must specifically fit one of the Millennium Now project types and meet all three of the following outcomes:

Creating stronger connections between people and communities
Developing creative projects that have UK-wide relevance
Communities are involved in designing and delivering projects

The programme will make five grants, one under each project type, of between £1,500,000 and £2,000,000 for projects running over two years.

The journeys of the five organisations that receive funding from us will be filmed by Channel 4 for a new five-part series which will air in late-2012. Organisations that are thinking of applying will need to show willingness to be filmed throughout the development of their project as this is a key requirement of the programme.

(source: Big Lottery)

For more information go to: http://www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/prog_millennium_now

Nominet Trust £250k Challenge

2011-10-31T02:42:00.000-07:00

Launched this week, the Nominet Trust £250k Challenge is supporting digital entrepreneurs over the age of 55 who have a viable idea for an internet start-up project which tackles the social problems afflicting senior citizens, and helps older people access the internet.

The programme was launched following research showing there is an urgent need for more web-based solutions designed for older people, by older people - as senior citizens are more likely to seek support from their peers than from younger age groups.

Grants of between £1,000 and £100,000 may be awarded towards projects costing up to £250,000 in total.

The money can be used to fund projects that:

use the internet to address specific social problems that older people encounter;
design new and better ways for older people to access and use the internet; and
develop and use technologies familiar to older people that may have internet functionality, such as projects that use IPTV or internet radio.

Anyone in the UK who is over the age of 55 with a good idea for an internet start-up which uses the web to address specific social problems facing older people may apply. The applicant may be operating as a business, charity, community interest company, working at a university or within the public sector.

The deadline for first stage applications is 1 February 2012. Those shortlisted must submit their full applications by 1 March 2012.

For more information go to:

http://www.nominettrust.org.uk/

Source: Grantfinder

Grimple's Green Grants Scheme Doubles Funding for New Round

2011-10-27T08:02:00.000-07:00

Through the Grimple's Green Grants Scheme, the Green Insurance Company wishes to encourage 'green behaviour' and is looking for individuals and organisations to get involved in their community and surrounding natural environment. The company is looking for environmentally-friendly green projects across the United Kingdom that it can fund and support.

This year there is an overall budget of £40,000 available for distribution. Individual grants of up to £2,000, plus a special one off grant of up to £10,000, will be allocated to fund a variety of initiatives. Ideas include anything from creating a community garden to reducing food miles by growing vegetables or establishing a wildlife garden to encourage biodiversity back into gardens.

Those in urban areas might wish to develop a project to increase awareness of environmental issues and educate the younger generation so that they develop good habits early. The scheme could also be used to fund energy efficiency improvements in energy inefficient buildings where community meetings take place.

Individuals and non-profit organisations in the UK, undertaking projects with a clear green element are eligible to apply to this scheme.

The deadline for receipt of applications is 30 November 2011.

http://www.greeninsurancegiving.co.uk/

(Source: Grantfinder)

Trading and Social Enterprise

2011-10-21T04:25:00.001-07:00

Sustainable funding is a hot topic at the moment. Earning an additional stream of income through trading is one method that may be suitable for your organisation. Social Enterprise and trading is growing rapidly at the moment. If your group is interested in trading, get in touch with PAVO. We are setting up a ‘virtual group’ for interested organisations, so that you can be kept up to date of all the latest developments and support. We are also working closely with Wales Co-operative Centre, to ensure Powys groups are supported. The virtual group will also feed into a Powys network that is due to be set up in Spring 2012.

Wales Co-operative Centre will also be attending the PAVO AGM on Tuesday 1^st November, and will be making a presentation at 1.40pm.

Please contact Claire Sterry on 01597 822191 or e-mail claire.sterry@pavo.org.uk if you wish to be involved.

COMMUNITY BUSINESS LOAN FUND

2011-10-19T05:41:00.000-07:00

The Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) has launched the Community Business Loan Fund (CBLF) to help potential and existing social entrepreneurs who are unable to access finance through normal mainstream channels.

The £5 million Fund offers financial support for the purpose of starting or expanding a community-based business. RBS expects to support in the region of 1,000 businesses through the scheme.

Eligible businesses can apply for loans of between £30,000 and £500,000. Community Development Finance Institutions, which allocate funds to other firms, may apply for loans of between £200,000 and £1 million.

The loans can be tailored to the applicant's individual requirements and are offered on flexible terms.

Charities, social enterprises, co-operatives and community interest companies operating in the United Kingdom may apply. To be eligible for funding, the organisation must have clear social or environmental objectives and reinvest profits for a social purpose.

Applications may be submitted at any time.

Go to: http://www.rbs.co.uk/

Ystradgynlais Outreach - 20th October 2011 - POSTPONED

2011-10-14T05:32:00.000-07:00

The Ystradgynlais Outreach session planned for 20th October 2011, has been postponed. A new date will be re-arranged for November 2011. Watch this space for more details.

Calling all Independent Youth Groups - Funding Opportunity!

2011-10-14T05:31:00.000-07:00

CYNGOR SIR POWYS COUNTY COUNCIL

Community Regeneration and Development Fund

This fund is only available to independent voluntary youth groups

You can use this money for whatever you want BUT the application MUST be in by the 30th Oct

There’s up to £400 for revenue this could be rent, insurance, trips, staff cost etc.

or up to £500 for capital this could be equipment for the club

Contact:

Jenni Thomas, Community Grants Officer,

Powys County Council on 01597 826000

Ystradgynlais Outreach - 20th October 2011

2011-10-13T02:51:00.000-07:00

Is your group based in the Ystradgynlais area? We are holding an outreach session in conjunction with Communities First Ystradgynlais, on Thursday 20th October 2011. We will be available for support around any of the following:

Can Do ‘Ideas into Reality’ Fund

Undertaking a health check of your organisation

Running your organisation, including trustee and governance, group structures

Finding funding

Making funding applications

Thinking about sustainable funding?

Thinking about social enterprise?

For more information or to book call PAVO on 0845 0093288.

Kellogg's Swim Active Programme

2011-10-13T02:34:00.000-07:00

The Kellogg's Swim Active Programme offers grants to not for profit organisations to help the development of innovative projects that encourage any aquatic activity which enhances motivation, removes barriers and increases participation in swimming.

The objectives of the programme are to:

Enhance the motivation to swim.
Remove the barriers to swimming.
Increase the participation in swimming.

Applicants must be from a bona fide non profit making organisation, which includes:

Swimming clubs.
Schools.
Pool operators.
Community organisations.
Social enterprises.

Projects can be revenue based, capital based or a mix of both.

The Fund has no minimum or maximum limit, although it is not an unlimited financial resource.

It is preferred if organisations think about whether their application can include an element of partnership funding in cash or in kind. This is not essential, but is seen as a useful indication that others support the idea and are prepared to back it.

The closing date for applications is 1 December 2011.

http://www.swimming.org/

(Source: Grant-finder)

CAN DO IDEAS INTO REALITY -

2011-10-11T07:44:00.000-07:00

Up to £2000 will be available for groups supporting identified local need and activity, for small scale capital projects, that will make a big impact.

Groups will be expected to find match funding of 33%, e.g:

Application to fund for £2000

Match from group £660

Total Project Costs £2660

Projects should fit one of the following criteria:

Creating or refurbishing facilities available to the community as a whole or adapting them to ensure equal access to disabled people as required under the Equality Act 2010.
Acting to improve the built or natural environment for local people
Improving the well-being of the community by encouraging activities and healthy life styles
Providing facilities or activities which reduce poverty, inequality, discrimination and social disadvantage
Encouraging training that targets vulnerable or excluded people
Stimulating community businesses and social enterprise
Assisting the promotion of job opportunities and increased incomes
Involving people of all ages and abilities in the community and addressing the needs of socially excluded groups
Strengthening the cultural and linguistic identity of the community

For more information:

Go to: www.pavo.org.uk

PAVO Help desk: 0845 009 3288

e-mail: info@pavo.org.uk

New trading guide launched for third sector

2011-10-11T07:07:00.000-07:00

WCVA is pleased to announce the launch of its new trading guide for third sector groups.

Titled It's an idea, but is it a business? is essential for organisation who plan to, or already do, raise a proportion of their income through trading. It takes you through the process step-by-step, and offers guidance on business planning, governance, support and managing growth. It's indispensable for those setting out in business, or those seeking a little extra insight.

It's available free to download:

http://www.wcva.org.uk/images_client/publication/WCVA%20'A%20guide%20to%20third%20sector%20trading'_e9.pdf

(Source: WCVA)

Bright New Futures - Opportunity - update

2011-10-07T02:00:00.000-07:00

Bright New Futures

Under the Bright New Futures programme, the Big Lottery are making £12 million available for projects across Wales, working with young parents and/or young disabled people aged 14-25.

The programme will fund between £200,000 and £1 million for projects running between three and five years that seek to achieve the following outcomes:

· Young parents and/or young disabled people are less isolated and have increased wellbeing through improved social networks and stronger relationships

· Better services are delivered which are joined up and are tailored to meet the individual needs of young parents and/or young disabled people

· Young parents and/or young disabled people have increased confidence and skills to successfully manage transitions and lead full and active lives

· Learning from the programme is used to inform future policy, practice and services for young people in transition.

PAVO has registered an interest to bid with the Big Lottery. We would like to facilitate a partnership bid with third sector organisations delivering services which support the two target groups e.g. young parents and young disabled people. This bid will be aligned to the developments within the Children & Young People’s Partnership. Please register your interest with PAVO to take part in the bid; contact the PAVO Helpdesk on 0845 009 3288 or email info@pavo.org.uk

For more information go to: http://www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/prog_bright_new_futures.htm?regioncode=-wal

New Code of Fundraising Practice Launched

2011-10-07T01:48:00.000-07:00

The Handling of Cash and Other Financial Donations Code of Fundraising Practice has been launched today. The Code contains general guidance which applies to the handling of many different types of donation and is a crucial addition to fundraisers’ best practice procedure.

The Code is intended to raise awareness of the areas fundraising organisations need to consider when handling donations; organisations ought to use the Code to guide them in producing their own procedures and requirements.

The Code states that donation handling guidance is important for three major reasons. These are to protect the organisation from fraud, theft or embezzlement; protect staff or volunteers from accusations of dishonesty or the temptation to commit fraud, and to assure donors that their donations and gifts are used for the purpose for which they were given.

The Code is comprehensive guidance which includes detail around the use of debit cards, tax-effective giving and processing donations using tills; as well as handling cash and accepting donations by cheque. It replaces the existing Handling of Cash Donations Code of Fundraising Practice.

Sarah Tirrell, Policy and Codes of Practice Manager at the Institute of Fundraising, comments:

“As fundraisers, we know that donations don’t begin and end with cash, although this remains an important means by which people give to charity. The IoF’s recent campaign to ‘save our cheque’ illustrates the importance of the diverse donation methods which exist; and this new Code also shows the variety of ways in which donors now support charity. We’re keen to ensure our guidance continues to follow giving trends as closely as possible.”

View the new Code at www.institute-of-fundraising.org.uk/codesdirectory.

(Source: Institute of Fundraising)

Macmillan Coffee Morning

2011-09-30T02:18:00.000-07:00

30th September sees the Macmillan World's Biggest Coffee Morning. PAVO held one at its staff day on the 27th September. We had a table full of home baked cakes, a raffle and old book sale. All in all we raised an amazing £103 for a very worthy cause, and got to eat lots of cake too!

Are you having a Macmillan Coffee Morning? Let us know how you got on, and we'll post it on the blog.

NatWest Community Force Awards

2011-09-30T02:14:00.000-07:00

Just to let you know that there are several Powys projects who have got through to the voting stages of the Natwest Community Awards.

Once registered you are entitled to three votes - so spend your votes wisely!

Go to: http://communityforce.natwest.com/projects/ to cast your vote today

Ponthafren nominated for Natwest Community Force Awards

2011-09-28T02:38:00.000-07:00

Ponthafren Association has been nominated for The Natwest Community Awards:
please vote at http://communityforce.natwest.com/project/1854

Ponthafren Association is a registered charity that provides support, information &
education to those members of the community experiencing mental health
issues &/or social exclusion or isolation. We offer a community resource for
mental wellbeing.

Ponthafren members have formed their own Public Relations
Group; this group goes out to community groups, schools & volunteering
fayres, giving PowerPoint presentations about the work Ponthafren does and
the support it has to offer. They are able to share their lived experience
with others and this helps reduce the stigma that is still attached to
mental health issues within local communities. Staff, volunteers and members
regularly attend community events in order to promote the Association.

Bright New Futures - Opportunity

2011-09-28T02:34:00.000-07:00

Is your organisation interested in working with PAVO towards a bid? Would you like to be part of the Bright New Futures programme with PAVO?

If the answer is yes, please register your interest with Yvonne Owen-Newns, PAVO's Children and Young People's Facilitator on 01597 822191 by 13th October 2011.

The Bright New Futures programme, is making £12 million available for projects across Wales, working with young parents and/or young disabled people aged 14-25.

The programme will fund between £200,000 and £1 million for projects running between three and five years that seek to achieve the following outcomes:

Young parents and/or young disabled people are less isolated and have increased wellbeing through improved social networks and stronger relationships
Better services are delivered which are joined up and are tailored to meet the individual needs of young parents and/or young disabled people
Young parents and/or young disabled people have increased confidence and skills to successfully manage transitions and lead full and active lives
Learning from the programme is used to inform future policy, practice and services for young people in transition.

http://www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/prog_bright_new_futures.htm?regioncode=-wal

PAVO Autumn Roadshow - coming soon!

2011-09-28T02:29:00.000-07:00

PAVO Autumn Road Show

Coming to a town near you!

Llandewi Village Hall

4th October 2011

1.00 - 3.30

Come and meet your local development workers

Staff will be available to support you around any of the following:

Can Do ‘Ideas into Reality’ Fund

Undertaking a health check of your organisation

Running your organisation, including trustee and governance, group structures

Finding funding

Making funding applications

Thinking about sustainable funding?

Thinking about social enterprise?

Community cohesion - what does this mean to you?

The new equalities Act - and your group

There will be coffee,tea & cakes and a presentation on Powys Enterprise Ltd and information about free electricity for community buildings !

To book on call: 0845 009 3288

We look forward to seeing you there.

Ponthafren Project - update

2011-09-26T04:06:00.000-07:00

Those of you who are regular visitors to the blog, may recall that Ponthafren Association in Newtown, were successful in receiving a Gwir Vol grant towards ‘Anim8 2 Motiv8’ - a series of taster workshops to capture young people’s thoughts and ideas on what inspires them to volunteer. This will then be followed by a series of animation workshops involving young people, with the aim of producing a DVD on the ‘story’ of what Ponthafren does and the benefits of volunteering.

Well the good news is that this project is nearly completed. The public relations group will be available to come out to youth volunteering events to share it with your groups. Please ring 01686 621586 if you would like us to come out and show the animation to encourage youth volunteering.

Thanks to Ponthafren for the update - if you take up the opportunity we'd love to hear from you.

VILLAGE SOS DEADLINE LOOMING - 1 MONTH TO GO!!

2011-09-21T06:16:00.000-07:00

The Village SOS Competition aims to support voluntary organisations to start community businesses to reinvigorate village communities.

The scheme will help groups with business ideas to support enterprises and activities which tackle specific problems faced by villages and their residents.

Grants of £10,000 to £30,000 are available.

All applicants must:

Have an idea for a community enterprise.
Be based in a rural area with a population of less than 3,000.
Be registered on the Village SOS website.
Consult their local communities before putting forward a proposal.

For more information go to: http://villagesos.org.uk/

The deadline for applications is 5pm on Thursday 20th October 2011.

If you require any support through the application process, get in touch - we are here to help!

NEW - CAN DO IDEAS INTO REALITY

2011-09-20T05:21:00.001-07:00

Following on from the highly successful Can Do Communities Scheme, PAVO is pleased to announce the new Can Do ‘Ideas into Reality’ grant scheme.

Up to £2000 will be available for groups supporting identified local need and activity, for small scale capital projects, that will make a big impact.

Groups will be expected to find match funding of 33%, e.g:

Application to fund for £2000

Match from group £660

Total Project Costs £2660

Projects should fit one of the following criteria:

Creating or refurbishing facilities available to the community as a whole or adapting them to ensure equal access to disabled people as required under the Equality Act 2010.
Acting to improve the built or natural environment for local people
Improving the well-being of the community by encouraging activities and healthy life styles
Providing facilities or activities which reduce poverty, inequality, discrimination and social disadvantage
Encouraging training that targets vulnerable or excluded people
Stimulating community businesses and social enterprise
Assisting the promotion of job opportunities and increased incomes
Involving people of all ages and abilities in the community and addressing the needs of socially excluded groups
Strengthening the cultural and linguistic identity of the community

For more information:

Go to: www.pavo.org.uk

PAVO Help desk: 0845 009 3288

e-mail: info@pavo.org.uk

Huge online giving growth despite economic woes, reveals new research

2011-09-15T06:36:00.000-07:00

Online charitable giving rises by 85% in three years

Online charitable giving has risen by a massive 85% in the past three years despite an ongoing economic downturn, according to new research produced by leading not-for-profit sector research consultancy nfpSynergy, working with Mission Fish UK, eBay for Charity and the Institute of Fundraising.

Delegates at the Institute of Fundraising’s annual Digital Fundraising Conference, to be held in London on Monday (19th September), will hear the most up to date findings about online fundraising, including how online social networks like Facebook and Twitter are changing the giving landscape.

The research – contained in the second edition of the report Passion, persistence and partnership: the secrets of earning more online – explores the dramatic rise in use of social media, smartphones and mobile internet, both by the public and by charities, in particular in relation to supporter engagement and fundraising. (The first edition of the report was published in in May 2008, the latest report will be available online soon).

Online communication is becoming more immediate and more personal. Now nearly half of all mobiles are smartphones and already 40% of smartphone owners use mobile internet each month. At the same time, use of social media has become more widespread, with social networking now accounting for 1 in 8 of all UK internet visits, arguably now the single biggest activity online in the UK.

Charities are seizing the opportunity to reach out to their supporters, rather than waiting for visitors to arrive at charity websites. Latest figures show that 71% of charities now use Facebook, with 62% using Twitter and 50% using YouTube – showing charities can now engage far more frequently with their friends and followers, often in real time.

The research highlights how online fundraising is now generating a similar return on investment to other forms of income generation. Charities raise £170k per staff member in their online fundraising team, ranking between donor recruitment (£137k) and major gifts (£210k).

Nick Aldridge, MissionFish CEO and chairing the Digital Fundraising conference, says “While online donations remain some way behind online retail - at almost 10% of UK retail - our research indicates that many charities are beginning to generate real returns from their online activities. At the same time, our report also clearly shows that charities are taking a more sophisticated and holistic approach to online communication – looking beyond the money at how to develop deeper relationships with potential supporters”

Tom Lodziak, Digital Media Manager at the Institute of Fundraising and member of a specialist panel who will be taking questions from delegates, comments: ”We are seeing increasing numbers of younger donors embracing digital giving options. Social networks like Facebook and Twitter seem to be driving charitable behavior amongst certain groups and this research shows that online giving has risen massively despite a tough economic climate.”

(Source: Institute of Fundraising)

PRINCE'S COUNTRYSIDE FUND - re-opened for applications

2011-09-15T06:31:00.001-07:00

The Prince's Countryside Fund was established to help rural areas in the United Kingdom to become more sustainable. The focus areas for the Fund are:

projects to improve the sustainability of British farming in areas of deprivation;
projects to improve the sustainability of rural communities; and
projects to reconnect people with the countryside.

The total amount of funding available in each round is approximately £250,000. The maximum level of funding for individual projects will be £50,000. The Fund can pay for a portion or the entirety of the costs of a project and applications for capital, project and resource funding will be considered.

Applications will be accepted from organisations that can demonstrate the support of the community which will benefit from the project and show evidence of consulting the community.

The Fund has reopened to applications with a deadline for receipt of applications of Friday 14 October 2011.

http://www.princescountrysidefund.org.uk/

(Source: Grantfinder)

PAVO AUTUMN ROADSHOW

2011-09-14T05:47:00.000-07:00

PAVO Autumn Road Show

Coming to a town near you!

Llandewi Village Hall

4th October 2011

1.00 - 3.30

Come and meet your local development workers

Staff will be available to support you around any of the following:

Can Do ‘Ideas into Reality’ Fund
Undertaking a health check of your organisation
Running your organisation, including trustee and governance, group structures
Finding funding
Making funding applications
Thinking about sustainable funding?
Thinking about social enterprise?
Community cohesion - what does this mean to you?
The new equalities Act - and your group

There will be coffee,tea & cakes and a presentation on Powys Enterprise Ltd and information about free electricity for community buildings !

Powys Environmental Partnership - Small Grants Scheme

2011-09-14T05:46:00.001-07:00

The aim of the scheme is to encourage and support community-led environmental projects in Powys. The closing date for applications is the end of September, the grants will be awarded by mid-October and the project must be completed by the 31st of March next year.

For more information contact Heather Delonette via e-mail atheather.delonnette@powys.gov.uk or by phone on 01597 82 6165

Big Lottery Fund Realising Ambition Programme Opens

2011-09-13T06:02:00.000-07:00

Voluntary and community sector organisations throughout the UK may apply for grants of up to £3 million to support projects that help young people between the ages of 8 and 14 years avoid pathways into offending. Funding is available for between three and five years and will be offered with a package of tailored specialist support and technical assistance.

Realising Ambition is a £25 million Big Lottery funded programme with the aim of building the UK evidence base of what interventions work in helping young people avoid pathways into offending. The programme intends to support approximately 20 applications from across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. A consortium led by Catch22 has been appointed by the Big Lottery Fund to identify the best projects.

The Big Lottery Realising Ambition programme aims to make a real difference to the lives of children and young people at risk of becoming involved in crime, to enable them to fulfil their potential.

The Realising Ambition programme seeks to achieve the following:

More children and young people benefit from opportunities and support enabling them to fulfil their potential, avoiding pathways into offending.
Organisations working with children and young people have better evidence of what works in avoiding pathways into youth offending and are able to replicate the most effective approaches.
Big Lottery and others learn about how they can best identify and support the replication of proven practice.

Interested organisations should complete an online application form which is available on the Catch22 website:

http://www.catch-22.org.uk/

Expressions of Interest are due by 9.00 am on 10 October 2011. Full proposals will be invited and should be completed by December 2011.

(Source: Grantfinder)

BT COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS - DEADLINE APPRAOCHING

2011-09-06T03:25:00.001-07:00

Currently there are nine million people in the UK who have never used the internet. BT Community Connections is an award scheme which offers community groups the chance to get online and help people discover the wonders of the internet.

If your group helps the community access the internet and improves people’s ICT skills, you could be eligible to apply for a year’s free broadband.

For more information go to: http://www.btcommunityconnections.com/

The deadline for entries is the 15th SEPTEMBER 2011.

Children and Families Organisation Grant Scheme for all-Wales Third sector organisations

2011-09-05T02:04:00.000-07:00

Organisations must be working on an all Wales basis.

The Deputy Minister for Children and Social Services has announced the opening of a new round of the above grant scheme. This will open on 1 September 2011 and completed applications for funding to commence on 1 April 2012 are to be returned by 3pm 31October 2011. Applications received after this date will not be considered.

For more information please got to: http://wales.gov.uk/topics/health/publications/socialcare/guidance1/grants/?lang=en

Welsh Government’s (WG) Well Being Activity Grant.

2011-09-05T01:48:00.000-07:00

Applications between £1,000 and £5,000 are invited from projects that promote and support the delivery of well-being activities. The aim of the grant is to support the priority areas outlined within the Powys Public Health Strategic framework and be core to the Our Healthy Future priority areas for action:

v Reducing smoking prevalence

v Increasing physical activity and healthy eating

v Reducing the harm associated with alcohol and substance misuse

v Reduce the number of teenage pregnancies

v Increase health in the workplace

v Increase immunisation and vaccination rates

v Reducing accidents and injuries

v Increasing mental well-being

v Reducing inequities in health

They will be looking for applications that:

Focus on the delivery of local health and well being activity and information.

Continue to promote local Health Challenge Wales initiatives including Change 4 Life.
Focus on geographic areas with a high avoidable morbidity rate.
Are evidence based.
Provide a clear indication of how outcomes will be evidenced.

The grant cannot be used to:

Fund salary costs.

Fund the training of statutory, public or private employees; however payment for training third sector employees and volunteers to deliver health improvement or protection work is permitted.
Part- fund an activity or project that is already receiving funding from the Welsh Government. However it can be used to undertake work that is in addition to an existing commitment or to communicate an activity which is receiving funding from the Welsh Government.
Commission a consultant to advise on a strategy, action plan, programme or project.
Fund public sector policy development, conferences, workshops or meetings.

For a copy of the application form please contact PAVO on 01597 822191. Completed forms need to be returned to Marie Grannell (marie.grannell@wales.nhs.uk) by 30^th September. The Strategic Health Improvement Group will be reviewing applications and outcomes will be known by 24^th October.

NEW - PAVO GRANT SCHEME - CAN DO IDEAS INTO REALITY

2011-09-01T02:33:00.002-07:00

Following on from the highly successful Can Do Communities Scheme, PAVO is pleased to announce the new Can Do ‘Ideas into Reality’ grant scheme.

Up to £2000 will be available for groups supporting identified local need and activity, for small scale capital projects, that will make a big impact.

Groups wishing to apply will go through a funding health check with a PAVO Development Officer.

Groups will be expected to find match funding of 33%, e.g:

Application to fund for £2000

Match from group £660

Total Project Costs £2660

Projects should fit one of the following criteria:

Creating or refurbishing facilities available to the community as a whole or adapting them to ensure equal access to disabled people as required under the Equality Act 2010.
Acting to improve the built or natural environment for local people
Improving the well-being of the community by encouraging activities and healthy life styles
Providing facilities or activities which reduce poverty, inequality, discrimination and social disadvantage
Encouraging training that targets vulnerable or excluded people
Stimulating community businesses and social enterprise
Assisting the promotion of job opportunities and increased incomes
Involving people of all ages and abilities in the community and addressing the needs of socially excluded groups
Strengthening the cultural and linguistic identity of the community

For more information:

Go to: www.pavo.org.uk

PAVO Help desk: 0845 009 3288

e-mail: info@pavo.org.uk

HOT OFF THE PRESS - NEW LOTTERY FUND

2011-09-01T02:33:00.001-07:00

Under our Bright New Futures programme, we are making £12 million available for projects across Wales, working with young parents and/or young disabled people aged 14-25.

The programme will fund between £200,000 and £1 million for projects running between three and five years that seek to achieve the following outcomes:

Young parents and/or young disabled people are less isolated and have increased wellbeing through improved social networks and stronger relationships
Better services are delivered which are joined up and are tailored to meet the individual needs of young parents and/or young disabled people
Young parents and/or young disabled people have increased confidence and skills to successfully manage transitions and lead full and active lives
Learning from the programme is used to inform future policy, practice and services for young people in transition.

http://www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/prog_bright_new_futures.htm?regioncode=-wal

PAVO - on the road again

2011-08-26T06:33:00.000-07:00

PAVO’s Development Team will be hitting the road again during the Autumn.

Staff will be available to support you around any of the following:

· Can Do ‘Ideas into Reality’ Fund
· Undertaking a health check of your organisation
· Running your organisation, including trustee and governance, group structures
· Finding funding
· Making funding applications
· Thinking about sustainable funding
· Thinking about social enterprise

To start the ball rolling we will be in:

· PAVO Offices, Llandrindod Wells – 10-4 pm, on 9^th September 2011

· Rhayader Leisure Centre - 28^th September 2011 as part of the Action on Hearing Loss Information event

OCTOBER LOCATIONS ARE UP TO YOU!

IF YOU WANT US TO VISIT YOUR AREA, PLEASE GET IN TOUCH.

HOT OFF THE PRESS - VILLAGE SOS COMPETITION

2011-08-25T03:34:00.000-07:00

The Village SOS Competition aims to support voluntary organisations to start community businesses to reinvigorate village communities.

The scheme will help groups with business ideas to support enterprises and activities which tackle specific problems faced by villages and their residents.

Grants of £10,000 to £30,000 are available.

All applicants must:

Have an idea for a community enterprise.
Be based in a rural area with a population of less than 3,000.
Be registered on the Village SOS website.
Consult their local communities before putting forward a proposal.

For more information go to: http://villagesos.org.uk/

The deadline for applications is 6 October 2011.

If you require any support through the application process, get intouch - we are here to help!

It would be great to see Powys Villages getting results.

COMIC RELIEF - YOUNG PEOPLE AND MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAMME

2011-08-22T06:34:00.000-07:00

The scheme is specifically looking to reach young people with current mental health problems such as depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, hearing voices, self harm, eating disorders or suicidal feelings.

They aim to support work with young people aged 11-25 with current mental health problem through:

· Services for young people

· Training

Your work will need to deliver one or more of the following outcomes:

· Increased access to appropriate services for young people with mental health problems, resulting in improved mental health

· A greater understanding and specialist skill base amongst people who work with young people with mental health needs.

They do not support work seeking to improve young people’s general wellbeing, as they target funds towards those with recognised mental health problems with a need for specialist support.

· You can apply for some or all of your project costs, but we encourage you to get some of your funding from other sources if you can. We will not generally fund the full costs of applications made by charities with an annual income of over £10m. Our grants usually vary between £25,000 and £40,000 per year for a maximum of three years and rarely exceed this upper limit.

For more information about the scheme and deadlines go to:

http://www.comicrelief.com/apply-for-a-grant/programmes/young-people-and-mental-health

Village SOS programme highlights Talgarth Mill

2011-08-15T03:31:00.000-07:00

Did you see the Village SOS programme last week? The programme highlighted the major works undertaken to restore Talgarth Mill to its former glory, with a new cafe and bakery, offering breads made using the flour produced at the Mill. Since the programme Talgarth Mill has been inundated with visitors, and the newly opened cafe, has had people queuing out the door! Their Facebook page had 500 members within 4 hours.

For more information go to: http://www.talgarthmill.com/

Best wishes to Talgarth Mill. PAVO is proud to have been able to support you in your endeavours and wishes you every success for the future.

If you missed the programme, it is still available on the BBCi Player.

The search for Britain's Digital Heroes 2011 begins

2011-08-15T03:28:00.000-07:00

It's the UK's only scheme which recognises Inspirational people who use technology to benefit their community.

The Talk Talk Digital Heroes Awards, with Citizens Online and in association with The Mirror - and supported by Race Online 2012 - is an awards and funding scheme with a difference.

12 Projects from around the country - as voted for by the public - will be awarded a £5,000 grant, with one overal winner getting £10,000.

Last year our TalkTalk Awards saw an incredible response with over 140,000 public votes for 12 truly inspirational winners. And this year we're aiming to make the awards bigger than ever.

Nominate your Digital Hero now at: http://www.talktalk.co.uk/digitalheroes/

Source: Talk Talk

People’s Postcode Trust – New Funding Round open

2011-08-15T03:27:00.000-07:00

If you are a small organisation, community group or charity looking for support, look no further!

People’s Postcode Trust are delighted to announced that our new funding round for over £2,000 in Scotland, England and Wales, and under £2,000 in England and Wales is now open.

The People’s Postcode Trust provides grants from £500 to £10,000 (or up to £5,000 in Wales) for three month projects that aim to make a difference to local communities. The deadline is 5pm on Friday 26th August, so please ensure you have submitted all relevant forms by this time, as we cannot accept late submissions. Good luck to all applicants!

To see if you are eligible and for details on how to apply, please go to

http://www.postcodetrust.org.uk/

Powys Environmental Partnership - Small Grants Scheme Open

2011-08-15T03:26:00.001-07:00

The aim of the scheme is to encourage and support community-led environmental projects in Powys. The closing date for applications is the end of September, the grants will be awarded by mid-October and the project must be completed by the 31st of March next year.

For more information contact Heather Delonette via e-mail at heather.delonnette@powys.gov.uk or by phone on 01597 82 6165

NatWest Community Force Awards

2011-08-15T03:24:00.000-07:00

NatWest have launched a new initiative to help local charities, organisations and groups raise publicity of their work and attract volunteers. The programme also provides the opportunity to receive funding through their Community Force awards. 158 individual Community Force areas have been set up and will each be offering three local projects the chance to win an award of £6,000 each.

Organisations and charities can apply for a between 25 July and 4 September 2011. An on-line public vote will decide the three organisations that will receive the awards, ensuring the projects which are recognised are those that local people feel will benefit their community most.

Go to: http://communityforce.natwest.com/about/ for more information, or phone 0800 2100 246.

Focus on Children in Need

2011-08-04T08:09:00.000-07:00

Thinking of applying to Children in Need?

There is an annual budget of £3 million in Wales, and applications in excess of £15 million are received each year. In order to give yourselves the best chance to you can, give them a ring first to check you can apply - it may seem simple, but it could save you a lot of time in the long run.

The fund focuses on supporting grass roots work with children. Any application has to cover the following three areas well:

DISADVANTAGE - this is crucial, and it has to be evidenced well. Rurality can't be used on its own as a disadvantage, but is acceptable when it applies with another form of disadvantage.
CONSULTATION - make sure you have consulted with the children who will be involved / affected by the project, and make sure they are involved in the planning. Consultation can range from a questionnaire to a MP3 recording, doesn't matter how it's done, as long as it happens!
OUTCOMES - showing the distance children will travel as a result of the project is really important, including 'soft' outcomes. These will be different as no two children are the same.

N.B Child protection procedures are extremely important at all levels of an organisation

The fund has a two stage application process:

The first stage checks eligibility, criteria and information.
If your project gets through the first stage, it then goes onto a second stage telephone interview. This is a chance to be really passionate about your project, and sell it. A written report then goes forward to committee for a decision.

For more information about Children in Need go to:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/pudsey/grants/

THE NEXT DEADLINE IS OCTOBER 15TH 2011

Don't forget PAVO's Development Officer's are available to support groups through any application process.

2011 EPIC AWARDS

2011-08-04T05:00:00.001-07:00

Provided by Voluntary Arts Network, the development agency for arts participation, the Epic Awards are designed to draw attention to work taking place within the voluntary and amateur arts sector. The awards aim to provide these groups with the opportunity to raise their profile and to win a package of prizes including training, equipment and publicity.

Following the success of the first Epic Awards in 2010, which ran across England only, the sponsor has decided to extend the 2011 scheme to groups across the UK and the Republic of Ireland.

The awards will be made under the following four categories:

Engagement
Partnerships
Innovation
Creativity

Successful groups receive an electronic Epic Award winner pack including logo and branding that can be used on all communication, if desired. The winner of each of the four categories will receive £250 worth of gift vouchers and runners-up will receive £100 worth of gift vouchers. These can be redeemed at GreatArt. Each winning group will also receive annual membership of Arts Development UK, worth £165.

Voluntary or amateur art and craft groups/organisations in the United Kingdom and Ireland are eligible to apply ie:

those arts and crafts that people undertake for self-improvement, social networking and leisure, but not primarily for payment;
groups that are self-organised;
not-for-profit groups.

The deadline for receipt of entries is 11 November 2011 (5pm).

(Source: Grant Finder)

LLOYDS TSB - FUNDING STILL AVAILABLE FOR GROUPS IN WALES

2011-08-03T06:37:00.000-07:00

This year, Lloyds TSB Foundation for England and Wales celebrates its 25^th anniversary, and has £25m to give to charities that help disadvantaged people to play a fuller role in the community.

In Wales, the Foundation have already funded a wide range of charitable causes, including debt advice services, support for the deaf and hearing impaired, citizen advice bureaus and drug addiction support services. So far this year we have awarded £676,400 to charities in Wales, but we still have money available. Unlike many other grant makers, 70% of our funding goes towards core costs such as salaries, overheads, rent and project costs.

If your charity is registered with the charity commission, is helping disadvantaged people and you have 12 months of reserves or less, then the Foundation wants to hear from you. Visit the website www.lloydstsbfoundations.org.uk, have a look at the funding guidelines and complete the eligibility questionnaire. It only takes ten minutes and it will tell you instantly if your charity would be eligible for funding.

“We were recently awarded a grant for the salary of an Employment Officer to help our beneficiaries find job opportunities, write CVs and hone their interview skills. This position is key to the future of the charity’s employment programme and would not be possible without the willingness of Lloyds TSB Foundation to fund this core cost. Their understanding of our needs and flexibility towards our grant has been so refreshing.”

Mike Spence, the Fundraising Officer at the North Wales Deaf Association

(Source: Lloyds TSB Foundation)

ONE POWYS - MANY VOICES - DEADLINE APPROACHING

2011-08-03T06:07:00.000-07:00

The Big Lottery Community Voice programme is a wonderful opportunity for groups to influence the way services are provided. It will be of interest to groups of individuals or established group interested in influencing decisions in your community and working together with local agencies to develop solutions and improve services.

The £12 million Community Voice Programme will fund and develop projects which will strengthen the influence of local communities on public services.

As your local County Voluntary Council, PAVO has been invited to submit a portfolio for consideration under the Community Voice programme. The portfolio for our county will be called One Powys - Many Voices. This links with Powys' new multi-agency draft plan for delivering public services, which is called "One Powys". We are now looking for up to 10 different projects, which can demonstrate how they help to deliver the outcomes of this plan.

If you would like further information you can:

Discuss your ideas with PAVO officers by contacting Michele Muireasgha on telephone 01686 626220 or email michele.muireasgha@pavo.org.uk

Request an information and application pack from Mandy Philips on telphone: 01597 822191 or email: mandy.phillips@pavo.org.uk

Read this document about the "One Powys" Plan outcomes

Check the Big Lottery website: www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/communityvoice

All Expressions of Interest need to be submitted to PAVO no later than 22^ndAugust 2011.

RUSHLIGHT AWARDS 2011

2011-08-03T06:03:00.001-07:00

The Rushlight Awards recognise and reward leading public, private and voluntary sector organisations that have produced environmentally beneficial innovative and technological developments.

The scheme is open to organisations throughout the UK and Ireland that have developed a specific technology, process or initiative that has, or will have, a significant beneficial impact on the environment.

Organisations of all types and sizes are eligible to enter the awards, including public sector organisations, voluntary and community sector organisations, research institutions and private companies. Innovations or technologies entered into the awards must have taken place between 1 January 2008 and 31 July 2011.

There are 22 categories for application, which are spread over five groups:

Natural Energy.
Clean Energy.
Energy Environmental.
Resources Innovation.
Environmental Management.

The 2011 Rushlight Awards have a prize fund worth £500,000 consisting of services donated by the programme's sponsors. Prizes are given for each category winner and for the overall winner for each category group. Each overall category group winner will also be forwarded for the main Rushlight Award.

The deadline for entries to the 2011 Rushlight Awards is 31 October.

http://www.rushlightawards.co.uk/

(Source: Grant finder)

BARING FOUNDATION - ARTS PROJECT PROGRAMME RE-OPENS

2011-08-03T05:59:00.000-07:00

The Baring Foundation's Arts Project Programme has reopened for 2012.

The programme seeks to fund arts organisations in the United Kingdom that are currently working with older people that can demonstrate the impact their work is making on the quality of life and artistic practice of individuals or communities, and that need help with their core costs to help them to sustain or develop this work.

The programme aims to support arts organisations which are developing the wider community’s understanding and enjoyment of the contributions that older people make to society and the cultural life of the United Kingdom, as well as striving for a wider understanding of the diverse creative and cultural needs of older people.

Grants of up to £30,000 are available to voluntary arts organisations in the UK.

The deadline for applications is 30 September 2011.

Go to:
http://www.baringfoundation.org.uk/

(Source: Grant Finder)

Children in Need Surgery a great success

2011-08-02T04:10:00.000-07:00

Last Thursday saw Andrea Powell, Children in Need National Officer for Wales, come to Llandrindod Wells, to meet with groups enquiring about the Children in Need Fund. All appointments were snapped up quickly. The day flew by with a wide variety of projects on the table.

Andrea is keen to come back to Powys again, so watch this space for more details.

Thanks to Andrea for coming and those groups that attended for making it such a success.

POWYS COMMUNITY ENDOWMENT FUND - FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

2011-08-02T03:53:00.000-07:00

PLEASE NOTE DEADLINE IS 26TH AUGUST 2011!!

Stanley Bligh Memorial Fund - BRECKNOCKSHIRE

This fund aims to provide assistance to individuals or groups pursuing studies or activities in technical and vocational subjects in the arts or sciences (with a particular emphasis on forestry and agriculture).

Grants

Grants are available to fund 50% of costs up to a maximum of £500 for individuals and £1500 for groups.

Brecon Girls Grammar School Fund - BRECKNOCKSHIRE

This fund supports general education purposes for residents of the former County of Brecknockshire.

Grants

Grants are available to fund 50% of costs up to a maximum of £500 for individuals and £1500 for community and voluntary groups/organisations.

The Montgomeryshire District Trust Fund - MONTGOMERYSHIRE

This fund aims to provide facilities for recreation or other leisure time occupation for the benefit of the inhabitants of Montgomeryshire with the object of improving the conditions of life for those inhabitants.

Grants

Grants of between £100-£1000 are available to fund a maximum of 50% of the costs of a project.

For more information about the Powys Community Endowment Fund go to: http://www.cfiw.org.uk/grants.html#powys

To obtain an application form please phone 02920 536590 or email: tom@cfiw.org.uk

The closing date for applications is 26th August 2011.

Summer celebrations

2011-07-20T05:00:00.000-07:00

Summer is here (?!), and the season of fetes and celebrations is upon us.

We want to hear:

what happens in your area
what is a good money spinner
what's the wackiest event you've held to raise money
how do you get everyone involved?

Don't be shy, post a comment on the blog, and let's see what's happening in Powys!

LandAid - Training, Education and Support Fund and Capital Projects Fund

2011-07-20T01:49:00.000-07:00

Grants of between £5,000 and £25,000 are available to registered charities and registered community interest companies in the United Kingdom. The following two funds are available:

Training, Education and Support Fund - Funding is available for training, education or support programmes that are targeted at disadvantaged young people, this can include NEETS, homeless and those from a low income background. Projects should engage young people and lead to employment or recognised qualifications.
Capital Projects Fund - Funding is available for the refurbishment, conversion, extension or new build of facilities for young and disadvantaged people. This can include hostel/foyers, community or youth centres and accommodation. Preference is given to projects that have an education or learning element.

Applications may be submitted at any time.

For more information go to: http://www.landaid.org/

Red Cross chief attacks corporate attitudes to funding charity infrastructure

2011-07-18T05:08:00.000-07:00

Sir Nicholas Young, chief executive of the British Red Cross, has hit out at the collective refusal of corporate donors to fund charities’ overheads.

In an interview with civilsociety.co.uk after he had been selected as the winner of the Outstanding Leadership Award at the Charity Awards, Sir Nicholas voiced his frustration at the prevailing attitudes of business leaders who don’t seem to realise that charities need all the same infrastructure as private sector organisations.

He explained that in recent years the British Red Cross had put a lot of effort into building the capacity of Red Cross societies in developing countries.

“There are 186 Red Cross or Red Crescent Societies around the world,” he said, “and a Red Cross society in sub-Saharan Africa has almost nothing compared to what we have here. Yet the scale of disasters and health and social care issues that they face are absolutely enormous.

“The history of big aid agencies like the Red Cross has tended to be that we parachute aid in and hope some of its sticks and increasingly I think we have to put a lot more effort into building sustainable local capacity so they can do much more for themselves.

“We have a number of great partnerships with small African national societies where we’ve been doing this for the last few years and we’re really beginning to see the results now.

Won't fund overheads

“But what is incredibly frustrating is how difficult it is to raise money for that work. I can go to a dozen captains of industry and ask for money for Aids programmes or disaster response or whatever, and I’ll get wonderfully generous support. But if I go to them and say ‘that national society in, say, Liberia really needs the money for a great fundraising director or finance director or computer system’ they’ll look at me as if I’m absolutely mad. They’ll say ‘We can’t possibly fund that, that’s overheads!’. And even when I say ‘Yes but they can’t do anything without those things’, they’ll still say ‘no no sorry, we’ll do the Aids programme, thanks’.”

Sir Nick said he tries to make them think about how their own business would function without a sales director or a finance director, but the corporate chiefs seem to think that’s different. “Of course it’s not different – these societies are businesses, they need to be able to run and manage themselves and then they could look after themselves much more. I find it very frustrating.”

(Source: civilsociety.co.uk)

Communities First programme to change in April 2012

2011-07-18T04:14:00.000-07:00

From next April, the Welsh Assembly Government’s Communities First programme will be a community-focused initiative designed to support its reducing poverty agenda from April 2012, following a consultation.

The proposed changes are intended to strike a balance between delivering the priorities of local communities and those at the regional and national level within the following three strategic outcomes:

§ Prosperous communities.

§ Learning communities.

§ Healthier communities.

New structures for the management of the programme both locally, regionally and nationally will provide more consistent governance and financial accountability across the programme, with clear and consistent demarcation of roles and responsibilities.

The document includes proposals on how funding will be allocated for the new programme and details of a new funding scheme to support community organisations in designated Communities First areas.

Carl Sargeant, Minister for Local Government and Communities announced the plans, saying:

"There are currently over 150 Communities First partnerships covering areas of different sizes. In the past it has sometimes proved difficult for key partners such as health providers and local authorities to work together to prioritise their programmes on Communities First areas due to the programme being restricted to fixed geographical boundaries.

“The Welsh Government will be discussing with key partners in each local authority area, including the existing Communities First partnerships how the future of the programme should be targeted in their locality."

The consultation runs until 26 September 2011.

To view the document go to: http://wales.gov.uk/consultations/housingcommunity/futurecommfirst/?lang=en

Source: Welsh Assembly Government

Broadband scheme extended to include 'slowspots'

2011-07-18T04:12:00.000-07:00

The Welsh Assembly Government has confirmed that the Welsh Broadband Support Scheme has been extended to include 'slowspots'.

Residents, communities, businesses and third sector groups currently located in broadband 'notspots', where connectivity is less than 512Kbps can apply for a grant of up to £1,000 to give them access to a broadband connection using the most appropriate technology available. The announcement will extend the scheme to include 'slowspots', where connectivity is less than 2Mbps.

The scheme, designed to reduce the number of rural areas of the country without broadband Internet. It will enable individuals and communities in Wales' remaining broadband 'not-spots' to approach service providers directly, with support of Assembly Government funding.

Initial funding of around £2 million has been allocated, with discussions now under way to access European assistance from the Rural Development Plan. Support is available for up to a maximum of £1,000 for individual premises, covering up to 100% of costs.

The scheme is technology neutral and the Welsh Assembly Government does not favour any particular type of technology; however, examples of the types of broadband solutions that could be supported include:

§ a broadband satellite connection installed for the home or business;

§ a community purchasing a 'larger scale' satellite connection which is distributed around the village by a small wireless network;

§ a wireless network being delivered by a service provider across a community; and

§ a community purchasing a next generation broadband service such as Fibre to the Cabinet (FTTC).

Individuals, communities, small to medium-sized businesses and third sector organisations in Wales may apply.

Applications may be submitted at any time.

Go to: http://wales.gov.uk/topics/businessandeconomy/broadbandandict/broadband/bbss/?lang=en

Source: Welsh Assembly Government, 06/07/11

Public overestimates fundraising costs three-fold

2011-07-13T03:03:00.000-07:00

The public grossly overestimate the amount of money charities spend on fundraising, according to research released today by Charities Aid Foundation.

A survey of more than 1,000 people found that on average they imagine it costs 42p to raise £1. In reality, according to CAF’s analysis of charity accounts, it generally costs charities around 12p, less than a third of public estimates.

When asked what they believe to be a reasonable proportion for charities to spend on fundraising, those surveyed came up with an average of 26p per pound.

Richard Harrison, director of research at CAF, said, “This proves that charities are extremely efficient and effective at fundraising, and spend less than a third than we assume they do.”

(Source: Civil Society.co.uk)

Cheques Campaigning success for IoF

2011-07-13T02:46:00.000-07:00

The announcement that cheques will be kept as a valid payment method following the Payment Council's investigation into their future is a major success for charity fundraisers and the Institute of Fundraising 'save our cheque' campaign.

According to an announcement on the Payment Council's website "cheques will continue for as long as customers need them and the target for possible closure of the cheque clearing in 2018 has been cancelled."

Simon Morrison, Director of Marketing and Communications at the Institute of Fundraising, comments:

'We are delighted that the Payment Council has disposed with the proposed end date for cheques.

'This will make a world of difference to a lot of our members, especially as some charities currently receive up to 80% of their funding by cheques. For a large cohort of donors cheques are a preferred method of donation.

'However, the next generation of secure payment still needs to be investigated by the Payments Council.'

(Source: Institute of Fundraising)

CHILDREN IN NEED FUNDING SURGERY - 28TH JULY 2011

2011-07-12T01:50:00.001-07:00

Andrea Powell, the National Officer for Wales from Children in Need will be coming to Powys on Thursday 28th July 2011.

If you are considering applying to the fund, we would encourage you to take up this opportunity to meet with Andrea to discuss your application.

The surgery will take place at the PAVO Offices in Llandrindod Wells.

APPOINTMENTS MUST BE BOOKED - to book your place contact PAVO on 01597 822191.

Children in Need run two grant schemes. Grants are open to organisations working with disadvantaged children and young people who are 18 years old and under. · Your organisation and project must be based in the UK and you need to be a registered charity or other not-for-profit organisation.

There are two general grant deadlines remaining for this year: 15 July, 15 October.

Within the general grants programme, you can apply for:

· Small Grants of £10,000 or less per year for up to three years

· Main Grants over £10,000 per year for up to three years For more information go to: http://www.bbc.co.uk/pudsey/grants/guidelines_maingrant.shtml

Queen Elizabeth II Fields Fund (Major Works)

2011-07-12T01:46:00.000-07:00

The Queen Elizabeth II Fields Challenge was created to celebrate Her Majesty The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012. It’s a new campaign to protect 2,012 outdoor recreational spaces in communities across the country as a permanent living legacy of this great event. SITA Trust has joined forces with HRH The Duke of Cambridge and the Fields in Trust to support this challenge.

The Queen Elizabeth II Fields Major Works Fund is provided by SITA Trust through the Landfill Communities Fund.

Community groups, parish councils, charities, local authorities and voluntary organisations may apply for grants of up to £25,000 to improve facilities provided at sports and/or recreation fields which are located within a ten-mile radius of a licensed landfill site in England and Wales.

Funding can be used for a range of things, including but not limited to:

Buying equipment that will be used at the project site.
Providing disabled access.
Resurfacing a sports ground.
Refurbishing a club house.
Providing playground equipment.
Equipment and furnishings such as floor coverings, tables, chairs, curtains, etc.
Installation of kitchen cabinets and appliances and any associated electrical and plumbing work deemed reasonable.

Projects must have the support of volunteers in its planning and delivery.

There will be five funding rounds during the programme which runs from June 2011 until February 2013.

It is preferred that applications are submitted online, though for groups that do not have access to the internet, an alternative method can be discussed.

The first closing date is 25 July 2011 (10.00 am) followed by a second closing date of 28 October 2011.

http://www.sitatrust.org.uk/qe2-fields

Queen Elizabeth II Fields Fund (Volunteer Support)

2011-07-12T01:45:00.000-07:00

The Queen Elizabeth II Fields Challenge was created to celebrate Her Majesty, the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012. It’s a new campaign to protect 2,012 outdoor recreational spaces in communities across the country as a permanent living legacy of this great event. SITA Trust has joined forces with HRH The Duke of Cambridge and the Fields in Trust to support this challenge.

The Queen Elizabeth II Fields Major Works Fund is provided by SITA Trust through the Landfill Communities Fund.

Not-for-profit organisations (community groups, parish councils, charities, local authorities and voluntary organisations) working with volunteers to physically improve QEII fields located within ten miles of a licensed landfill site in England and Wales may apply for grants of up to £5,000.

Volunteers must be significantly involved in the planning and delivery of the projects.

Grants can be used to help with the costs associated with clearing sites, planting and fencing to make the fields more healthy and sustainable. Funding can also be used to buy the materials necessary for volunteers to make improvements to existing community buildings such as refurbishing or creating better access.

There will be ten funding rounds during the programme which runs from June 2011 until February 2013.

It is preferred that applications are submitted online, though for groups that do not have access to the internet, an alternative method can be discussed.

The first closing date is 22 August 2011 (10.00 am).

http://www.sitatrust.org.uk/qe2-fields

GSK IMPACT AWARDS 2012

2011-07-07T06:28:00.000-07:00

The IMPACT Awards have been running since 1997 and are designed to recognise and reward charities that are doing excellent work to improve people’s health. They are funded by GlaxoSmithKline and managed in partnership with The King’s Fund.

The awards are open to registered charities that are at least three years old, working in a health-related field in the UK, with a total annual income between £10,000 and £1.5 million.

Benefits of applying

· Up to eight winners will receive £25,000

· Up to four highly commended awards of £5,000 and up to three runners-up awards of £3,000 will be made

· You decide how to use the award money

· Organisations that win or are highly commended for an award will be invited to send up to two representatives to take part in the GSK IMPACT Awards Development Network, a free training programme valued at £4,000 for each organisation.

The awards are designed to recognise success and achievements for existing work so you do not have to present a new project

· The winning organisations will be visited by a photographer, have a professional film made and will receive support with press and publicity.

An overall winner will be chosen from either the IMPACT Awards or the IMPACT Champions who will receive an additional £10,000.

For more information go to:

http://www.kingsfund.org.uk/current_projects/gsk_impact_awards/

Closing date Friday 23 September 2011

Llangattock wins British Green Streets Title

2011-07-05T01:45:00.000-07:00

A village in the Brecon Beacons has been named Britain's greenest community.

Llangattock Green Valleys project won the Welsh final of the British Gas challenge in 2009, but has now scooped the British title as well.

The village, near Crickhowell in Powys, has won £100,000 to spend on a local environmental project.

Judges said villagers had shown "some amazing levels of commitment to cutting carbon emissions".

Llangattock was chosen from 100 projects across the UK to be one of the final 14 communities who would go head-to-head over 14 months as part of the Green Streets challenge, a project helping communities to save energy and generate their own energy.

Michael Butterfield, from the Llangattock scheme, said: "Winning Green Streets is incredibly exciting.

"We've all worked really hard towards this and it's great to see that British Gas really understands and appreciates what we're trying to do here in Llangattock.

"Llangattock Green Valleys' aim is to make our community carbon negative by 2015, so as well as promoting energy efficiency across the board we plan to become a net exporter of renewable energy.

"As well as reducing our carbon footprint, this strategy will bring revenue, jobs and skills into the community and help us build a strong community asset base.

Source: BBC online

Congratulations to Llangattock on their success and best wishes for the future!